Bayfield Early Education Centre

We realize the importance of the early years in your child's learning. We have comprehensive learning programmes to cover a wide array of areas to cater for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Our children keep their own profile book in which their progress is recorded. These books provide an excellent record for primary school enrolment.

Individual learning includes pre reading and language, early maths and printing skills.
The preschoolers will also be encouraged to learn and enjoy working with computers.

As our programme incorporates the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum called Te Whaariki you will see and hear the five strands of Wellbeing, Belonging, Communication, Contribution and Exploration woven into everything that incorporates the child's day at the centre.

The Virtues Project is an initiative created by Linda Kavelin-Popov, a psychotherapist, her husband Dan Popov, a clinical psychologist and a scholar of the world’s sacred texts, and Linda’s brother John Kavelin a show producer and director with Walt Disney Imagineering.

The Virtues Project was founded to counteract rising violence among young people and families. It is based on the simple wisdom of the world’s different cultures and religions and focuses on living by the best within us – courage, honour, justice and kindness to name a few.

At Bayfield we believe in the transformational effect of the Five Strategies of the Virtues Project on the relationships within the centre, both amongst the staff and between the teachers and children.

The Five Strategies are:

Our charter / policy document and copies of the most recent ERO reports (Education Review Office) are available at reception for you to borrow or read at any time.
To download these from the internet go into www.ero.govt.nz and look for Bayfield Early Education Centre. Remember we have two licenses and therefore two reports.

It is important that you feel comfortable with those who are taking care of your child. Our staff are warm, responsive, sensitive and consistent. We have your child's needs at heart.

Our policy is to have all staff fully trained or in the process of training to ensure a professional and educational service.

We have a comprehensive library with a selection of informative books and videos.
If you wish to borrow anything please ask us to sign it out for you.

Kia ora, my name is Oriana and I have worked in a number of childcare centres since I first became involved in Early Childhood Education over the past ten years. I have a Diploma of Teaching from New Zealand Tertiary College (2001) and a Graduate Diploma in Educational Management (ECE) from Unitec, Auckland (2006). I am also a fully registered teacher and, along with all the staff, hold a current First Aid Certificate.

I am married to Dave and we have three children who have all gone through the Early Childhood Sector. We live in West Auckland.

I find teaching here at Bayfield Early Education Centre to be very rewarding with a supportive and encouraging management who work in consultation with teachers to assist them to best fulfill the needs of the children as individuals. We also work together with parents to achieve the best outcome for their children. I believe having a sense of fun and working well with my colleagues has an impact on how I look forward to coming to work each day.

Kia ora and fakaalofa lahi atu. My name is Molly Sietu. I have been working here at Bayfield since April 2002 (part of the furniture I think). I have my Diploma in Early Childcare which I finished in 2007 and I am a provisionally registered teacher. I started working here at the centre in 2002 in the Nursery room as working with babies has always been my passion. I moved over to the Toddler room about two years ago just to challenge myself and basically to understand how the 2 to 3 years age group works. Well, look at me now! Loving the everyday challenges that the toddlers may bring. I have recently been appointed Head Teacher and, yet again enjoying this change of direction and, of course, the challenges that this new role offers me. I have lived in West Auckland my whole life, so you could call me a ‘westie’. I am married and have no children at the moment but this is something definitely that my husband and I look forward to in the future.

Kia ora. My name is Sonia Hammond and I started as the Head Teacher in the Nursery area in August 2008. I was born and bred in the Waikato and have only been in Auckland for two years. I have a Bachelor of Commerce and previously worked as a Community Planner for the Waikato District Council before deciding to study and work in Early Childhood Education. I am passionate about working with children and haven't once regretted the change. I gained my Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early childhood Education) from The University of Auckland and I am a registered teacher.

Prior to starting at Bayfield, I was the Assistant Supervisor at Bear Park
Preschool in St Heliers, working with 3 and 4 year olds. When still in the
Waikato, I worked with both over and under twos and this position allows me
the opportunity to return to my preferred age group. I love working with
under twos, they have so many new experiences that we are privileged to
witness and document.

Kia ora my name is Shona Hewitt. I have been the Centre Manager at Bayfield Early Education Centre since we opened in May 2000. I have a Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) which I have held since 1992 and I am a fully registered teacher. I have also gained a Graduate Diploma in Educational Management (2005) and have 23 years experience in the Early Childhood Sector.

I have two daughters, both grown up. My love for working with children in the Preschool Sector came from having my own children and my enjoyment of their early years.
I continue to love being around and working with children of this age group.

I believe strongly in providing quality education for children (of all ages) and work hard with both my staff and parents at the centre to achieve a professional partnership which benefits all: children, parents and whanau and staff.

Kia ora, my name is Mona. I have been at Bayfield since May 2002, where I hold the position of receptionist. My role at Bayfield involves the administration of accounts, updating children’s files and any other clerical roles that may be required. Prior to this I worked in administration roles for ten years and with special needs children for seven years.

I am married to Paul and we have a daughter and a son. I enjoy working in this environment where we are surrounded by children.